Sunday, October 29, 2006

Hero Of The Day: Tan Nguyen

The California Letter Scandal

By: James Kotthoff

The flap over Californian Republican Congressional Candidate Tan Nguyen’s letter to recently registered voters is drawing a lot of ink lately. Orange County California Republican Party Chairman Scott Baugh has insisted that he quit the race. DIS-Honorable Senators Kennedy and Leahy have called for an investigation. Governor Swartzenager and his opponent have labeled the letter a hate crime. California law enforcement have conducted raids on his home, campaign office and the home of a staffer. What did this hateful letter say? Well here is the translated version, the original was in Spanish.

Greetings XXXX XXXX,You are being sent this letter because you were recently registered to vote. If you are a citizen of the United States, we ask that you participate in the democratic process of voting.You are advised that if your residence in this country is illegal or you are an immigrant, voting in a federal election is a crime that could result in jail time, and you will be deported for voting without having a right to do so.At the same time, you are advised that the government of the United States is installing a new computer system to verify the names of all new registered voters that vote in the October and November elections. Anti-immigration organizations can ask for information from this new computer system.Unlike Mexico, here there is no incentive to vote. There is not a voter registration card in the United States. Therefore, it is useless and dangerous to vote in any election if you are not a citizen of the United States.Do not listen to any politician that tells you the opposite. They are only looking out for their own interests. They only want to win elections without any regard to what happens to you.Sincerely, Sergio Ramirez

First off what in this letter is worthy of hate crime status? Secondly this letter is factual. It is a crime to vote in any U.S. election if you are not a citizen. Even if you are a legal immigrant you do not have voting rights until you are a naturalized citizen. Any politician who tells anyone otherwise is guilty of conspiracy to commit voter fraud. And they should be prosecuted just like any other criminal.The thing that cracks me up about the whole story is that once again the open borders crowd can not address the issues. They must resort to hyperbole and mud slinging to obscure the facts. The facts are pretty straight forward and (at least to me) easy to understand. YOU MUST BE A US CITIZEN to participate in the electoral process. The privilege of choosing our elected leaders falls to those with full citizenship rights. That means if you are here illegally or legally but not naturalized You Cannot Vote! And ANY person who tells you otherwise is lying. to you.

I know this may be like beating a dead horse but there are serious issues between the majority of citizens and our elected officials at this time. Secure borders, Immigration policy that benefits the working class, not hurts them, Confidence in the electoral process, Foreign policy and trade that benefits the working class not just the elite. It is a time for open and frank debate not mud slinging and deception. We should be rewarding those who dare to speak the truth not smearing them with false labels. Regardless of who is in the White House or controls the House or Senate it is time to hold politicians and the parties to account for their actions and the lack of civility in the election process.